Post navigation

Detectives questioning a celebrity medium in Brazil, accused of sexually abusing more than 300 women, have reported spooky goings-on during their two hour interrogation.

Unexplained incidents ranging from a ‘bizarre’ computer crash to wiring on electrical appliances suddenly ‘short circuiting’ appears to suggest supernatural forces were at play during the interview.

The mysterious problems unnerved cops but didn’t deter them from collecting the testimony from faith healer, João Teixeira de Faria, who is known as João de Deus – John of God on Sunday night in Goiânia.

Joao Teireira de Faria, better known as John of God, arrives at the Dom Inacio Loyola House in Abadiania, Brazil on Wednesday last week

Detective Karla Fernandes, responsible for coordinating the task force investigating the allegations, claimed that as the spiritual guru began to speak, strange things started to happen.

She said to Folha de Sao Paulo: ‘Suddenly the computer that was being used to transcribe the suspect’s answers to the allegations seemed to have a life of its own and the commands on the keyboard wouldn’t work.

‘When the clerk tried to enter the medium’s statement, the keys locked on a specific letter and ‘OOOOOOO’ was recorded continuously on the screen for a few seconds.’

Although this has never happened before, bemused agents put the incident down to a faulty computer.

Detectives questioning the spiritual healer (center) claim electronic equipment in the room started to malfunction

But when the printer in the room began to print without receiving a command and a fridge blew up, their thoughts turned to paranormal interference.

Det Fernandes said: ‘It was hot in the interrogation room and I decided to turn on the air conditioning.

‘I plugged the lead into an extension shared with a mini-fridge and the electrical wiring suddenly exploded, burning out the fridge. Everyone in the room screamed with fright.’

According to the officer, the 76-year-old spiritual healer, who is accused of sexually molesting women during private consultations at his clinic, stayed silent.

She said: ‘Although these things happened and surprised us, they failed to interfere with our work. He (John of God) didn’t say a word.’

Twelve women have accused Brazilian spiritual healer Joao Teixeira de Faria, 76, of sexually abusing them while he treated them at his clinic Casa de Dom Inacio de Loyola in Abadiania

Investigators also believe that two unexplained incidents which occurred prior to Teixeira giving himself up on Sunday, could be linked to the occult.

A police clerk, who was meant to transcribe the faith healer’s testimony at the police station in the rural town of Annapolis, was run over in a car accident and broke his arm.

Investigators originally intended to question the suspect at this small outpost. But the unexpected incident meant the interview had to be transferred to Goiânia, the capital of the state of Goiás.

And last Friday as the press staked out John of God’s house in the city of Abadiânia, rumours began to circulate that ‘spirits’ had cursed the reporters, photographers and TV camera crew who had camped for nearly 24 hours waiting for the psychic healer to surrender after a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Thousands gather at his clinic daily for the chance to be healed by Faria, who is said to have supernatural powers

Hardened professionals admitted they started praying when a news agency photographer in the press pack suddenly fell ill and lost consciousness for a few minutes.

Many who were reluctant to admit the ‘episode’ was associated with John of God’s ‘mystic powers’, did concede that a paranormal association wasn’t so ‘far-fetched’.

‘I accept that we are dealing with a situation that involves beliefs and mystic energies,’ she said adding she believes John of God has supernatural powers.

‘I’m spiritualist and a believer in the spirit world and the paranormal. Although I’m not afraid, I do have a healthy respect for the unknown.’

Faria’s followers wait for their turn to be attended, at his ‘healing center’ Casa de Dom Inacio de Loyola, in Abadiania, 120 km southwest of Brasilia

Teixeira has denied allegations that he sexually violated hundreds of women, including his own daughter, under the pretence of administering mystical treatments.

His lawyer claimed his client is being ‘persecuted’ and the complaints made by hundreds of women, with the number now topping some 500, are coming from ‘people who want to destroy him.’

The mystic has been detained in custody and on Monday as agents started the search of the faith healer’s premises, a court denied an appeal for bail.

The bombshell allegations have sent shock waves across the world.

John of God became famous for performing ‘miracle surgeries’ on hundreds of thousands of people from all over the globe. He has been practising since 1976 and is revered as a ‘powerful’ spiritual force. He has been interviewed by Oprah and has treated Bill Clinton.

Many followers have allegedly been cured of cancers, disabilities, psychological illnesses and numerous other ailments while attending his alternative treatment clinic in central west Brazil.

A woman pictured praying at his clinic in 2012. Faria has denied the sexual abuse allegations